Once again, we organised a very successful half marathon on Sunday 22nd March, sponsored for the first time by Barry Hearn OBE from Matchroom Sport. His involvement has taken the event to a whole new level, meaning we sold out (2800 runners) with a month to spare, and we raised over £200,000 to add to the £4 million we have raised over the 44 years that the event has been staged. The weather was perfect, and the men's event was won by last year's winner, who broke the record once again - 1 hour, 4 minutes, 59 seconds. Ironically, the female race was also won again by last year's winner. 

The whole Hearn family turned up on the day, and stayed for the duration of the event. Barry was there, together with his son Eddie and daughter Katie. Also in attendance was Alex Burghart, the Member of Parliament for Brentwood, the Governor of Rotary's District 1240 with his wife, the Mayor of Brentwood and his wife, and various representatives of our sponsors. Most important of course was Steve Baker of Baker Labels who in the company of Eddie and Alex presented some of the awards, but Brian Hughes from Rainer Hughes, Jack Jaques from  Blueprint Properties and Nikki Scudder from Hilbery Chaplin were all present on the day

The event could not have been staged without the help of three other organisations who form the consortium. They are of course the Brentwood Running Club, the Brentwood Theatre and Saint Francis Hospice. Our grateful thanks go to all involved, including outside assistance from Emergency Doctors Medical Service, the Warley and Brentwood Army Cadet Force, Sophie Vowden from SV Sports Therapy who provides all the masseurs and the many volunteers who run with the flags to guide the runners to attain their expected time.
Believe it or not - the entries open for the 2027 event on 1st June and the date to remember is March 21st 2027

On Monday 23rd February, we held our annual Charter Night at the Bentley Golf Club, where over 80 members and guests enjoyed a wonderful three-course meal. We were royally looked after by the golf club staff once again, and the evening was made special by our guest speaker Barry Hearn from Matchroom Sport, who is the new headline sponsor of the Brentwood Half Marathon. He gave us all an insight into his life from a modest background in Dagenham to where he is today. Matchroom has become one of the leading sports promoters, with snooker, darts, pool and boxing within its stable. Other important guests included Steve Baker and Kirsty Dailly from Baker Labels, who are additional sponsors of the event.

We had a visit from the Mayor and Mayoress of Brentwood -  Counsellor Jay Laplain and his wife Vanessa, who attended our meeting on Monday 9th February. He gave us all a very interesting insight into his role as mayor, and told us all about the responsibilities, expectations and experiences that confront someone in this position. In the photo, they are joined by President Keith Hawkes (left) and Vice-President Stefan Tkaczyk (right). Jay has agreed to join us on Half Marathon day, and experience the atmosphere this event brings to Brentwood.

                                     Counsellor Mark Haigh                                                                                                     Counsellor Alison Fulcher

Our Rotary meeting on Monday 17th November saw us move to the Old Brentwood's Club in Ashwells Road - just for a change!
Nearly sixty Rotarians, partners and guests enjoyed a two-course meal in different surroundings followed by a talk from former Brentwood MP, but now in the House of Lords - Eric Pickles. He regaled us with an interesting insight into his career and the path he took to achieve his goal of serving his country, culminating in being chosen to serve in the government of the time's cabinet, where he proved to be an influence within the Tory Party. Having been Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 2010 to 2015, this was followed by his election as Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2009 to 2010. He was appointed a life peer in 2018 and holds several current roles, including the UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues.
A vote of thanks was given by Corporate Member Sam Mason from Brentwood School.

Our annual games evening was held at the Marygreen Manor Hotel on Monday 10th November. This is in memory of former member Mike Kan, and whilst it used to be competed for with various outdoor and perhaps more energetic activities, for the past few years it has taken place indoors with what could be traditionally regarded as pub games. These include Shove Halfpenny, Quoits, Bowls, Table-Top Curling and Bagatelle. This year's winner was Alan Lewis, pictured here receiving the trophy from President Keith Hawkes.

The Brentwood Half Marathon was nominated for a prestigious award at the Brentwood and Rochford Sports Awards evening held at The Mill Arts and Events Centre in Rayleigh on 4th November. We are pleased to announce that the Half Marathon won the "Sporting Event of the Year", something we should all be very proud of, and we were presented with a trophy and certificate.

Four representatives from the Half Marathon attended the evening, which included a free drink (worth going for if nothing else!!) and a buffet. Receiving the award from Danny Crates, a former Paralympic gold medallist (pictured centre), were (left to right) Lynsey Prentice and Brian Harding from the Brentwood Running Club, Tony Clark from Brentwood a Becket and Kirsty Daily from sponsors Baker Labels

Brentwood a Becket were nominated for an award under the "Community Engagement" ​category for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards. Greg Roberts prepared a very detailed submission to be presented to the committee, which was followed by an interview by the company designated to undertake this part of the selection process - MacDonalds. This was done by zoom on Wednesday 23rd July, and both Greg and Tony Clark were duly grilled by Joey Antwi-Kusi of the MacDonalds franchise in Brentwood. We successfully passed this stage, and we were informed that we had made the final three, and were then interviewed again by zoom on Friday 12th September by Catherine Polli, one of the senior partners of Pinney Talfourd, who were the overall sponsors of the event. 
The Awards Evening itself took place on Friday 10th October at Stockbrook Manor Golf Club, which was attended by over 180 guests. There were a number of categories, and each was announced in a somewhat similar way to an Oscar ceremony (And the winner is.....). We were up against St Francis Hospice and Chicken & Frog Bookshop (an establishment in Crown Street). The evening included a three-course dinner with dancing later on in the programme.
Regretfully we did not win, but we did come second, which we should be very proud of. The winners were St Francis Hospice who were very deserving winners, and the picture above shows Greg and Anne Bender receiving the runners-up certificate. Thanks should go in particular to Greg who saw the whole thing through from start to finish, and who knows - maybe we might win it next time we are nominated.
In the meantime we congratulate St Francis Hospice on their success! (through gritted teeth!!)